Education

Sharing knowledge and passion for the natural world is a role we take to heart, not only for kids, but for adults, too. Our region has a wealth of expert ecologists, botanists, birders, scientists, geographers and just about every other kind of expert you can imagine. We have two outstanding programs to educate and engage people of all ages in the wonders that surround us every day.

Loving the Land

Every year we offer a week-long educational program for kids, grades 4-5, following Earth Day in late April. This hands-on opportunity takes place in the Oredson-Todd Woods, a city-owned conserved park south of Ashland. For five days the park is transformed into a learning center for adventure, exploration and creativity, under the guidance of stewardship staff and enthusiastic volunteer educators. This is also a great volunteer opportunity for anyone who loves kids and wants to turn them on to our beautiful natural world.

Become a volunteer for Loving the LandDo you love Southern Oregon's natural history? Do you love working with kids? We would LOVE for you to volunteer with us! We're looking for facilitators for our 4th and 5th grade outdoor education program that runs everyday from April 23 to April 27 (2018) in Ashland at the Oredson-Todd Woods. Facilitators host a rotation of investigative and exploratory field study stations where students learn about geology, stream invertebrates and forest ecology. Students also have a picnic lunch and a short hike to a waterfall. All facilitators will be provided with instructional materials in advance.

If you would like to share the joy of the outdoors with a young person, give us a call to sign up. Station volunteers arrive at the Woods at 9:45 and are finished by 2:00. Hike guides lend a hand from 11am-1pm. Every volunteer will be provided a delicious, hearty bag lunch.

To find out more info or to sign up for a day (or two) email info@landconserve.org or call to chat with Teresa at 541-482-3069.

Where Ya At?

New to the scene is Where Ya At?, a fast-paced program that will increase your bioregional knowledge in a fun and casual setting (typically a restaurant or bar). Learn about the region’s geography, geology, and history from local experts. These programs, based on the Japanese PechaKucha model of very fast presentations, are designed to be engaging and informative.

Upcoming

The next meeting of this book club will be on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:30 pm. We will be meeting at a private home in Ashland for a discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

News blog

This month we are highlighting two conserved public-access properties located in Ashland, Ore. We are grateful to the City of Ashland, the Ashland Woodland & Trails Association, and the countless volunteers who help maintain these incredible natural gems. We hope you enjoy this month’s “hike” down memory lane

With a tuft of evergreen basal leaves and seasonal flowering stalks, native perennial bunchgrasses provide a host of ecological services. Read Kristi's article about this iconic species, the critters that depend on it and the challenges bunchgrasses face.

Read volunteer documentarian, Crystal Nichols's, full blog post with videos highlighting the intriguing and significant life of coho salmon, its threats and how stream-side landowners can help these "living boomerangs".